Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, CA
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Art Center College of Design
ArtCenter College of Design: Shaping the Future of Creative Innovation.
ArtCenter College of Design stands as a beacon for aspiring artists and designers, renowned for its commitment to pushing creative boundaries and fostering innovative thought. Since its inception, the college has been a pivotal force in art and design education, attracting pioneering talent and shaping the creative industries through its forward-thinking curriculum and hands-on approach. Its legacy is built on a foundation of artistic excellence and a relentless pursuit of groundbreaking design.
Founded in 1930 in downtown Los Angeles as the ArtCenter School, the institution quickly made its mark. Early on, it drew luminaries like Ansel Adams, who served as a guest instructor in the late 1930s, highlighting its early commitment to photographic arts. The college further expanded its influence during and after World War II, developing a specialized technical illustration program in collaboration with the prestigious California Institute of Technology. This period of rapid growth led to its expansion into larger facilities and, by 1949, ArtCenter began granting Bachelor's and Master's degrees, solidifying its academic standing and earning full accreditation by 1955.
The college's evolution continued with a strategic name change to Art Center College of Design in 1965, reflecting its expanding scope. It introduced a film program in 1973 and made a significant move to its iconic Hillside Campus in Pasadena in 1976, further enhancing its facilities and creative environment. ArtCenter also ventured internationally with ArtCenter Europe in Switzerland from 1986 to 1996 and earned Non-governmental organization status from the UN Department of Public Information in 2003, showcasing its global impact and commitment to social responsibility.
Today, with its dual campuses in Pasadena, ArtCenter continues to be a vibrant hub for creative education. A testament to its robust community support and vision for the future, the college successfully exceeded its 2011 fundraising goal, raising an impressive $124 million for scholarships and campus expansion. Prospective students and their families can anticipate an immersive and supportive environment dedicated to cultivating the next generation of creative leaders and problem-solvers.
Key Highlights
- ✦Established in 1930, ArtCenter has a nearly century-long legacy in art and design education.
- ✦Pioneered a technical illustration program in conjunction with the California Institute of Technology.
- ✦Hosted legendary photographer Ansel Adams as a guest instructor in its early years.
- ✦Began granting Bachelor's and Master's degrees in arts in 1949 and was fully accredited by 1955.
- ✦Achieved Non-governmental organization status by the UN Department of Public Information in 2003.
- ✦Successfully raised $124 million in a fundraising campaign, exceeding its $100 million goal for scholarships and campus expansion.
- ✦Celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2020, marking decades of creative leadership.
Timeline
Find Scholarships at Art Center College of Design
Sign up free to discover grants and scholarships you qualify for at this school and thousands more.
Start Your Free Search